Tag: endocrinology

type 1.5 diabetes
What is Type 1.5 Diabetes? 
Posted on by Leslie Branon

While many people are familiar with diabetes and know the difference between Type 1 (T1D) and Type 2 (T2D), there may be less recognition surrounding Type 1.5 diabetes. 

Type 1.5 was trending during the summer months when pop star Lance Bass revealed that he was recently diagnosed with it. 

At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology (TD&E), our team of board-certified endocrinologists treat all forms of diabetes.  

Here’s what you should know about the often misunderstood Type 1.5.

What is Type 1.5 diabetes?

Type 1.5 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, also known as latent autoimmune disease in adults (LADA).  It shares some characteristics of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and typically develops later in adulthood.

Like T1D, with Type 1.5 there is a lack of insulin production, and like T2D, it occurs later in life, not during the early childhood years. 

However unlike T2D, Type 1.5 it stems from an autoimmune reaction in beta cells that gradually weakens the pancreas and diminishes its ability to produce insulin.

Type 1.5 is thought to be triggered by previous damage done to the pancreas, from illness or infection, or from genetics and a family history of other autoimmune disorders. 

What are symptoms of Type 1.5 diabetes? 

Type 1.5 diabetes symptoms can be subtle at first, and they often mirror those of T2D, including:

  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Frequent urination, especially at night
  • Increased thirst or dehydration 
  • Blurred vision 

Those diagnosed with Type 1.5 diabetes typically are not obese or overweight and are usually  over 30 years of age.  

How is Type 1.5 diabetes diagnosed?

Arriving at a Type 1.5 diagnosis may take some time, and your endocrinologist may order additional testing. A definitive diagnosis is usually reached via a combination of fasting glucose tests and other comprehensive blood screenings like antibody testing. 

What is the treatment for Type 1.5 diabetes? 

It is important to realize that a diagnosis of Type 1.5 diabetes is serious (but very manageable), and that if left untreated, your body could fall into a state of diabetic ketoacidosis, or a buildup of dangerous acids in the bloodstream due to a lack of insulin. 

Type 1.5 can be treated with common diabetes medications like Metformin to start, but then supplemental insulin is often needed down the road.  At TD&E, we offer the most current options for convenient insulin delivery, such as insulin pumps. 

We also offer a variety of opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research trials that may enhance your traditional therapies.  We will work with you to establish a personalized treatment plan that best suits your lifestyle so that you can live fully with as little interruption as possible to your daily routine while successfully managing your diabetes.  

Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Thyroid Conditions 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services  and other endocrinology therapies can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (512) 458-8400 or request an appointment online.  

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.

Welcoming Endocrinologist Dr. Lucy Esteve
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology is thrilled to welcome Dr. Lucy Esteve to our team of board-certified endocrinologists and diabetes experts. She is now seeing patients at our South Austin location. 

Dr. Esteve specializes primarily in diabetes management and cutting-edge treatment technologies, such as wearable smartwatches, for the early detection and prevention of diabetes and related complications. 

She is fluent in multiple languages including French, Italian and Spanish. Her ability to communicate in several languages will be helpful in serving our diverse and multicultural population here in Central Texas. 

She joined TDE most recently from her Endocrinology Research Fellowship at Duke University in Durham, NC. 

Dr. Esteve attended Imperial College London in the U.K. where she obtained a BEng in Biomedical Engineering and a MSc in Immunology. She then completed her medical training at Warwick Medical School in the U.K. followed by her Internal Medicine residency training at UT Health San Antonio, TX. 

She holds certifications from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in both Endocrinology and Internal Medicine. 

Dr. Esteve and her family chose to settle down in Austin for its multicultural population, strong art and music scene and great food. She instantly felt like Texas Diabetes would be a great fit for her and is excited to work alongside a well-organized, strong clinical team. 

Getting to Know Dr. Esteve

Why are you passionate about what you do?

Coming from a multicultural background, I feel like I can relate to patients and love creating long- term partnerships where we develop a personalized treatment plan together that works for them!

What are some fun facts you’d like to share?

I am the first physician in my family. My family is originally from Europe, but we are all now proudly American! My mother is an artist and my father an engineer, and they could not be more opposite! I am married with two children. 

How do you spend your free time when not caring for patients?

Outside of clinic, I love swimming, cooking, traveling the world, and watching soccer.  I am also an editor for an online knowledge sharing platform called theMednet.

Please join us in warmly welcoming her to the TD&E family!

Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Thyroid Conditions 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Esteve or one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services, heart disease prevention,  and other endocrinology therapies can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (512) 458-8400 or request an appointment online.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.

diabetes research
What to Know About Clinical Research Trials at TD&E 
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Clinical research trials are conducted every day in every field of medicine in order to discover and advance new and innovative forms of treatment. At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology (TD&E), our commitment to endocrinology research is unwavering. 

During a clinical research trial, patients volunteer to test cutting-edge new treatments (or medical devices) while in the development stage before they become available to the general public.

The benefits to a patient for opting to participate in clinical research trials include: (1) allowing them to learn more about their condition and actively take control of their health, and (2) potentially improving their condition (and therefore quality of life) by trying an effective new treatment.  

As appreciation and gratitude for their time and travel, patients who participate in TD&E research trials typically receive a form of compensation and all research-related medication and testing is free.

At Texas Diabetes, our Research Department was established in 2007 and is led by our team of board-certified endocrinologists and diabetes experts. We are considered one of the most active endocrine research practices worldwide.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about clinical research trials at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology:  

TD&E Research Trials FAQs

Is there compensation for participating in a trial? How are patients compensated?

  • Yes, there is compensation for participating in each study as a thank you for your time and travel to the site. 
  • Compensation varies between each study and the requirements of each visit.  
  • Compensation is provided on a payment card that is loaded after each visit is completed. 
  • The informed consent for each trial has a detailed description of the payment schedule and the Research Coordinator will review it with the patient during their screening visit. 
  • Patients who receive a payment of $600 or more during a tax year will receive a 1099-MISC form in the mail for tax purposes.

What is the time commitment required for a clinical research trial and how flexible are visits?

  • Every study is different and the visit  frequency will vary depending on the type of study. Most visits with the Research Coordinator will last one to two hours and are scheduled based on the individual study requirements. The informed consent for each study will have a detailed explanation of the number of visits required and whether it’s an onsite visit or phone visit.
  • All visits are conducted Monday through Friday, with most visits being scheduled for the morning hours. Our office opens at 7am and closes at 4pm.
  • Most studies have a visit window which allows for some flexibility when scheduling study visits.

Will there be blood draws at each visit and where will they occur?

  • The majority of studies will require blood work to confirm eligibility and to make sure that it is safe for patients to participate in the trial.
  • All blood work will be conducted onsite by our research team.
  • All visits that require fasting blood draws will be scheduled in the morning.

Do clinical trials go through insurance or will patients have to pay copays?

  • Your insurance will not be billed for any research visits, and all materials and medication are provided by the research study.

Will patients learn at some point what medication they were on and will they be informed of results when the study is over?

  • Yes, the study team will let the site know once all participants have completed the trial at all sites (in the United States and globally) and all data has been collected. The participant will receive a letter afterwards with the information regarding what treatment was received during the study. 

Clinical Research Opportunities at TD&E

You can learn more about our research department and currently enrolling clinical trials here. Please feel free to contact us at (512) 334-3505, option 4, to speak to a recruiter about our enrolling studies.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.

managing diabetes in college
Ten Tips for Managing Diabetes at College 
Posted on by Leslie Branon

Navigating the complexities of college life is a challenge in itself, but for students managing diabetes, the journey comes with an added layer of responsibility. Balancing classes, social activities, and personal care can seem overwhelming, yet it is entirely possible to thrive with the right strategies in place. 

Here are some tips our endocrinology experts share for managing diabetes on campus and away from home:

Ten Tips for Managing Diabetes at College

1.         Touch base with your regular endocrinologist before leaving and make sure your recommended protocol and prescriptions are all current.  

2.         Locate your campus health center as soon as you arrive so you know where to head for minor complications or emergencies.  

3.         Bring along a mini fridge for your dorm room to store medications/insulin, juices, and several healthy snacks to have on hand.

4.         Share your condition with your roommate(s) so they’re aware of your diabetes and let them know who to contact in case of an emergency. 

5.         Find a local pharmacy that can fill your prescriptions as needed or set up automatic refills to be shipped directly to you. 

6.         Put a medical alert message or symbol on your phone’s screensaver.

7.         Add family or friend’s contact numbers to your phone under ICE (In Case of Emergency).

8.         Grant remote access to your parents via digital glucose monitors and sensors so that they can help keep you on track from home (and it may help ease their anxieties of knowing how you’re doing). 

9.         Do your best to get some movement and exercise each day to keep blood flowing and blood sugars balanced. 

10.       Be cautious with alcohol use (and know your limitations), which can cause serious blood sugar spikes and impair your cognitive abilities. 

Finding Diabetes Support on Campus

Once away at school, be sure to know what health resources (both mental and physical) are available to help you on campus. Being in a healthy state with your mind and body will help you to better succeed as a student and make the most of your college experience.

Check out the College Diabetes Network to see if your school has a support group on campus, or visit The Diabetes Link that serves as an excellent resource for college students and young adults as they embark out on their own. 

Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Thyroid Conditions 

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services, heart disease prevention,  and other endocrinology therapies can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (512) 458-8400 or request an appointment online.  

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check back with us each month as we provide you helpful wellness and health information.

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